The 2023 ACCORD governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Engr. (Dr) Emem Coffie, has called for a deliberate return to the industrialisation roadmap by the immediate-past government and other previous administrations in the State, urging that it be strengthened through corporate participation, private investment and well-structured public-private partnerships.
The CEO of several companies, a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of many professional bodies locally and internationally, noted that the pathway to sustainable economic growth in the state lies in consolidating existing industrial assets rather than abandoning them and developing new ones, stressing that such a move would directly impact productivity and reduce poverty.
This was contained in the Easter message endorsed by Engr Coffie and made available to newsmen, where he urged citizens to set aside differences and promote peaceful coexistence, stressing that the season demands reflection on the values of sacrifice, compassion and collective progress.
He noted that the industrial drive is a solution to creating jobs, stimulating local production and reducing overdependence on federal allocation, adding that the focus now should be on scaling operations and ensuring long-term viability through broader stakeholder involvement.
According to him, “The efforts of previous administrations in establishing industries should be revisited, reviewed and strengthened through corporate participation, individual investment and public-private partnerships, while the establishment of more cottage industries by the State Government and the creation of an enabling environment for private investors in the state is a sine qua non to resolving the unemployment crisis in the state.
This, he said, is a practical route to improving economic productivity and addressing poverty in the state.
Coffie maintained that industrial growth must be supported by policies that protect local livelihoods while opening space for innovation and expansion, warning that neglecting existing structures would amount to wasting years of strategic investment.
He also emphasised that economic development must go beyond infrastructure to include human capital development, insisting that empowering citizens with relevant skills remains critical to sustaining any industrial ecosystem.
On the Easter celebration, Coffie urged Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians to embrace love, unity and faith, noting that the season calls for sober reflection and renewed commitment to peaceful coexistence.
“Easter reminds us of sacrifice and love. We must remain united and allow our faith to guide our actions, while also committing ourselves to building a better society through hard work and shared responsibility,” he said, praying for peace, progress and a renewed sense of purpose among citizens.
He warned that abundant prayers of faith without corresponding action will lead to frustration. “Faith without works is dead,” he submitted.n
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